A Wisconsin couple was fatally shot by their son, who then died by suicide after a tense standoff with police. The tragic incident took place at the couple’s home in Middleton, Wisconsin, on Tuesday, July 8.
What Happened?
At around 2 p.m., Dane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the home of David and Teri Pabst after a family member called 911. Upon arriving, deputies found the couple dead. David Pabst, who was the Wisconsin State Patrol Bureau of Transportation Safety and Technical Services Director, and his wife Teri, an educator, had both been shot.
Investigators soon learned that their 25-year-old son, James, who was armed, had fled the scene in a white Honda Accord.
The Standoff with Police
Several hours later, at 4:19 p.m., officers from the Wisconsin State Patrol spotted James’ car on U.S. Highway 14 in Vernon County. They initiated a traffic stop, but James refused to speak with officers and would not exit his car.
After about an hour of trying to communicate with him, law enforcement officers approached the vehicle and found that James had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigation and Timeline
The Dane County Sheriff’s Office stated that their investigation, including interviews and evidence collected at the scene, showed that James killed his parents after 9:30 p.m. on Monday, July 7, in their shared family home.
Family’s Statement
In a statement released on July 10, the couple’s three daughters, Lora, Danielle, and Heidi, spoke about their parents’ loving nature. They described their mother, Teri, as someone who was “dedicated to the children she worked with”, many of whom had complex needs. She loved making a difference in the lives of children.
They also spoke highly of their father, David, who dedicated nearly 40 years to the Wisconsin State Patrol, rising from a trooper to a director. The daughters mentioned that David came from a family of public servants and had a deep passion for keeping people safe on the roads of Wisconsin. They said he was always ready to help others, especially on their worst days.
Mental Illness and Family’s Struggle
In their statement, the daughters acknowledged that their family had been deeply impacted by mental illness. They expressed their heartbreak over losing their brother, James, to his mental health struggles. The family encouraged others facing similar challenges to seek help and hold onto hope.
The family wrote: “For those of you who knew him, please remember him for who he was before. For those of you who have walked a similar journey yourself or with someone in your life, please don’t give up; please seek help. Find someone to reach out to and grasp onto a thread of hope. Keep living because your life is precious.”
The tragic deaths of David and Teri Pabst, and the heartbreaking aftermath involving their son James, have left the community in shock. This devastating event has brought attention to the importance of mental health and the need for support for those struggling with it.
